Japan began implementing a mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine strategy last month, with some health care workers who received the Pfizer-BioNTech jab for their first two shots getting Moderna Inc.’s shot as a booster, as the government aims to accelerate the rollout of third shots amid heightened concerns over the omicron variant.
Like the European Union, the Japanese government is recommending people receive a different jab for their third doses to the one they received in the initial rollout, but what’s the rationale behind that strategy? Here are some answers to address the most common questions about booster shots:
What do boosters offer in the way of added protection?